This 2-on-1 CD pairs up drummer Idris Muhammad’s first two albums for Prestige Records, both released in 1971. ‘Black Rhythm Revolution’ is a killer 5 track set that includes a grip of thumping cover versions. Charles Wright’s classic ‘Express Yourself’ is pitched up and given a funky bounce thanks to Muhammad’s syncopated drums, Melvin Spark’s fluid guitar lines and Harold Mabern’s funky keys, the stunning version of James Brown’s ‘Superbad’ is a classic – Clarence Thomas’ sax and Mabern’s cooking organ rapping over Muhammad’s driving beat – while the almost waltz-time groove of ‘Wander’ (Muhammad’s own composition) is trademark Prestige funky jazz. ‘By The Red Sea’ would initially suggest an East African infulence but the track has a more Latin American swing – Thomas’ wiry soprano sax snakes in and out giving it that Arabian feel – while Jack McDuff’s bluesier ‘Soulful Drums’ slows things down somewhat and allows Idris to shine. Great album! The lingering opener ‘Peace’ on Peace & Rhythm is a gentle, ebbing jazz, spiritual tinged number while ‘Rhythm’ follows with a portentous 2 minute intro, drenched in Eastern spiritual vibes before launching into a celebratory, carnivalesque Latin dancer. The bouncier funker ‘Brother You Know You’re Doing wrong’ is closer to the sound on ‘Black Rhythm Revolution’, while the punchy funk of ‘Don’t Know My Love’ is almost and answer to ‘Superbad’. The stunning, soulful ‘I’m A Believer’ is an indemand spin on the more progressive Northern/Crossover scenes and is a stunning way to end a great album.
Track listings:
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01 Express Yourself by Idris Muhammad
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02 Soulful Drums by Idris Muhammad
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03 Super Bad by Idris Muhammad
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04 Wander by Idris Muhammad
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05 By The Red Sea by Idris Muhammad
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06 Peace by Idris Muhammad
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07 Rhythm by Idris Muhammad
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08 Brother You Know You’re Doing Wrong by Idris Muhammad
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09 Don’t Knock My Love by Idris Muhammad
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10 I’m A Believer by Idris Muhammad
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